Los Angeles Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in $2.7 Million Stolen Checks Scam

LOS ANGELES—A South Los Angeles man was sentenced Aug. 19 to seven years and three months in federal prison for his role in a scheme that siphoned more than $2.7 million from banks and credit unions by depositing checks stolen from the mail into accounts belonging to accomplices recruited through Instagram. Carlos Corona, 36, was also ordered by U.S. District Judge John Walter to pay $2.72 million in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Corona pleaded guilty in May in downtown Los Angeles to one count each of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. From October 2020 to last August, Corona and associates took part in the scheme that involved stealing checks from the mail, including some that were taken from collection boxes outside post offices. The thieves would then contact account holders through social media and solicit them to provide their debit cards and bank account information, promising them a cut of any stolen funds deposited into their accounts....